General Instructions
1. This question paper consists of three sections: Section A, Section B and Section C.
2. All questions are compulsory.
3. Section A has 16 questions.
4. Section B has 13 questions.
5. Section C has 10 questions.
6. Internal choices are given in some questions, as indicated.
ABIOLOGY
1
Which of the following is the basic unit of structure and function in all living organisms?(a) Tissue(b) Organ(c) Cell(d) Organ system
2
Which of the following tissues in plants are living and have thin cell walls, and are generally isodiametric?(a) Parenchyma(b) Sclerenchyma(c) Collenchyma(d) Xylem vessels
3
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of prokaryotic cells?(a) Absence of membrane-bound organelles(b) Presence of a well-defined nucleus(c) Presence of ribosomes(d) Circular DNA
4
In flowering plants, which part develops into a fruit after fertilisation?(a) Ovary(b) Ovule(c) Petal(d) Stamen
5
The process of programmed cell death in multicellular organisms is known as:(a) Mitosis(b) Meiosis(c) Apoptosis(d) Fertilisation
6
Which of the following is a characteristic of Bryophytes?(a) They possess true roots, stems, and leaves.(b) They have vascular tissues (xylem and phloem).(c) They depend on water for reproduction.(d) They produce seeds enclosed within a fruit.
7
The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration is called:(a) Diffusion(b) Osmosis(c) Active transport(d) Endocytosis
8
Assertion (A): Plant cells have a rigid cell wall, while animal cells do not.Reason (R): The cell wall provides structural support and protection to the plant cell, but animal cells need flexibility for movement.(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.(c) A is true, but R is false.(d) A is false, but R is true.
9
Assertion (A): Mitosis results in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.Reason (R): Mitosis is a type of cell division that occurs during growth and repair.(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.(c) A is true, but R is false.(d) A is false, but R is true.
10
What is the role of xylem in plants?
11
Describe the difference between cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle in terms of structure and function.
12
Explain the process of budding in Hydra with a labelled diagram.
13
A scientist is studying a plant that has seeds but does not produce flowers. It has vascular tissues and reproduces using cones.(a) Which group of plants does this organism belong to?(b) How does its reproduction differ from that of an Angiosperm?
14
Briefly explain the concept of biodiversity. Why is India considered a biodiversity hotspot?
15
Case Study: A young plant is growing in a pot. The roots are absorbing water and minerals from the soil, and the leaves are carrying out photosynthesis. The stem provides support, and the plant is growing taller.(a) Which type of plant tissue is responsible for the absorption of water and minerals?(b) Name the tissue responsible for the transport of food manufactured during photosynthesis.(c) What type of meristematic tissue is responsible for the increase in the height of the plant?(d) If the plant is a woody plant, what tissue contributes to an increase in its girth?
16
Long Answer: Describe the structure of a typical animal cell, mentioning the function of at least four of its organelles.ORExplain the importance of tissues in multicellular organisms, detailing the functions of at least three types of animal tissues.
BCHEMISTRY
17
Which of the following is an example of a solution?(a) Muddy water(b) Air(c) Sand and water mixture(d) Oil and water mixture
18
The symbol for Potassium is:(a) P(b) Po(c) K(d) Pt
19
The law that states that in a chemical reaction, the total mass of reactants is equal to the total mass of products is:(a) Law of Definite Proportions(b) Avogadro's Law(c) Law of Conservation of Mass(d) Law of Multiple Proportions
20
What are the main postulates of Bohr's atomic model?
21
Explain the difference between isotopes and isobars with examples.
22
Describe the formation of ionic bonds in sodium chloride () using a diagram.
23
Case Study: A chemist is trying to separate a mixture of salt and sand. The solubility of salt in water is high, while sand is insoluble in water.(a) What separation technique would be most suitable for separating salt from sand?(b) Describe the steps involved in this technique.(c) What property of salt is being utilized in this separation method?(d) What would be the state of the salt after the separation process is complete?
24
Long Answer:(a) Explain the concept of atomic number and mass number with respect to an atom. (2 marks)(b) If an atom has 12 protons and 14 neutrons, calculate its atomic number and mass number. (3 marks)OR(a) Differentiate between evaporation and boiling. (2 marks)(b) How would you obtain pure copper sulphate crystals from an impure sample? 3marks
CPHYSICS
25
Which of the following quantities represents a vector?(a) Speed(b) Distance(c) Velocity(d) Mass
26
If a force of 10 N is applied on an object over a distance of 5 m in the direction of the force, the work done is:(a) 5 J(b) 50 J(c) 15 J(d) 0.5 J
27
Assertion (A): Sound waves are longitudinal waves.Reason (R): In longitudinal waves, the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation.(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.(c) A is true, but R is false.(d) A is false, but R is true.
28
Briefly explain the concept of force of friction.
29
A tuning fork of frequency 256 Hz produces waves in air with a wavelength of 1.3 m. Calculate the speed of sound in air.
30
A ball is dropped from a height of 20 m. If the energy lost due to air resistance is negligible, calculate its velocity just before it touches the ground. (g = 9.8 m/s²)
31
A stone of mass 2 kg is thrown vertically upwards with an initial velocity of 20 m/s.(a) Calculate the maximum height reached by the stone. (2 marks)(b) Calculate the work done by the gravitational force on the stone during its upward motion. (3 marks)OR(a) Explain the concept of potential energy and kinetic energy. (2 marks)(b) A simple pendulum of length 1 m oscillates with a maximum displacement of 10 cm from its mean position. Calculate its maximum velocity. 3marks
32
Case Study: A scientist is studying the properties of sound waves. They observe that when a bell is rung inside a vacuum jar, no sound is heard. When air is pumped back into the jar, the sound becomes audible.(a) What property of sound is demonstrated by this experiment?(b) Does sound require a medium to travel? If yes, name three types of media through which sound can travel.(c) If the frequency of a sound wave is 500 Hz and its wavelength is 0.6 m, calculate the speed of sound.(d) Why can astronauts on the Moon not hear each other without special equipment?
33
Long Answer:(a) State Newton's second law of motion. Explain how it relates force, mass, and acceleration. (3 marks)(b) A car of mass 1000 kg is moving with a velocity of 36 km/h. If the brakes are applied, the car stops in 5 seconds. Calculate the force exerted by the brakes on the car. (2 marks)OR(a) Describe the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves. Give one example of each. (3 marks)(b) The audible range of human hearing is generally taken to be 20 Hz to 20 kHz. What is the time period for a sound wave of frequency 40 Hz? 2marks
Answer Key
ABIOLOGY
1
(c) Cell
2
(a) Parenchyma
3
(b) Presence of a well-defined nucleus
4
(a) Ovary
5
(c) Apoptosis
6
(b) They have true roots, stems, and leaves.
7
(b) Osmosis
8
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
9
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
10
Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris. They act as the cell's waste disposal system.
11
Skeletal muscles are voluntary, striated, and attached to bones for movement. Cardiac muscles are involuntary, striated, and found only in the heart, responsible for pumping blood.
12
[Diagram showing Hydra with an out-growth (bud) developing from the parent body. The bud enlarges and eventually detaches to form a new individual.] Budding is a form of asexual reproduction where a new organism develops from an outgrowth or bud due to cell division at one particular site.
13
(a) Pteridophytes (Ferns)(b) Angiosperms produce flowers and fruits for reproduction, while Pteridophytes reproduce via spores and require water for fertilisation.
14
Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes or change in the number of chromosomes. Examples: Vegetative propagation (e.g., potato tubers, ginger rhizomes), Budding (e.g., Hydra).
15
Case Study:(a) Land heats up faster than the sea because it has a lower specific heat capacity and absorbs solar radiation more efficiently.(b) During the day, the land heats up more than the sea, creating a low-pressure area over the land. Cooler, high-pressure air from the sea moves towards the land, creating a sea breeze. At night, the land cools faster than the sea, reversing the process. Monsoons are a larger-scale version of this, influenced by seasonal temperature differences.(c) Hydrosphere (water bodies, rivers, lakes) and Biosphere (living organisms, soil moisture).
16
Long Answer:Neuron Structure: A neuron consists of a cell body (containing the nucleus and cytoplasm), dendrites (branched extensions that receive signals), and an axon (a long fibre that transmits signals). [Diagram of a neuron with labelled parts: cell body, nucleus, dendrites, axon, axon terminals.]Neuron Function: Neurons are specialised cells that transmit nerve impulses (electrical and chemical signals) throughout the body, enabling communication and coordination between different parts.ORImportance of Tissues: Tissues are groups of similar cells specialised to perform specific functions, increasing efficiency and enabling complex life processes in multicellular organisms.Animal Tissues:
- Epithelial tissue: Covers body surfaces and lines cavities, involved in protection, secretion, and absorption.
- Connective tissue: Supports, binds, and connects other tissues and organs (e.g., blood, bone, cartilage).
- Muscular tissue: Responsible for movement through contraction and relaxation.
- Nervous tissue: Transmits nerve impulses for communication and coordination.
BCHEMISTRY
17
(b) Air (A solution is a homogeneous mixture)
18
(c) K
19
(c) Law of Conservation of Mass
20
Dalton's Atomic Theory:
- All matter is made up of tiny indivisible particles called atoms.
- Atoms of a given element are identical in mass and properties.
- Atoms of different elements have different masses and properties.
- Atoms combine in simple whole number ratios to form compounds.
- Atoms can be combined, separated, or rearranged in chemical reactions.
21. Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same atomic number but different mass numbers (due to different numbers of neutrons). Example: Hydrogen (¹H, ²H, ³H). Isobars are atoms of different elements with different atomic numbers but the same mass number. Example: Argon (¹⁸Ar) and Calcium (²⁰Ca), both have a mass number of 40.
22. Formation of : Sodium (Na) has 1 electron in its outermost shell, and Chlorine (Cl) has 7. Sodium loses its valence electron to form a stable ion, while Chlorine gains this electron to form a stable ion. These oppositely charged ions are held together by electrostatic attraction, forming an ionic bond. [Diagram showing electron transfer from Na to Cl.]
23. Case Study:
(a) A solution (homogeneous mixture).
(b) A suspension (heterogeneous mixture).
(c) The Tyndall effect.
(d) The particles in the initial solution were too small to scatter light.
24. Long Answer:
(a) Atomic Number (Z) is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element. Mass Number (A) is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
(b) Atomic Number = Number of protons = 12. Mass Number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons = 12 + 14 = 26.
OR
(a) Evaporation is the process of a liquid changing into a gas at any temperature below its boiling point, occurring at the surface. Boiling is the process where a liquid changes into a gas at a specific temperature (boiling point), occurring throughout the liquid.
(b) To obtain pure copper sulphate crystals from an impure sample: Dissolve the impure sample in a minimum amount of hot water. Filter the solution to remove insoluble impurities. Allow the filtrate to cool slowly. Pure crystals of copper sulphate will form. Filter the crystals and dry them.
CPHYSICS
25
(c) Velocity
26
(b) 50 J
27
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
28
The force of friction is a force that opposes the relative motion or tendency of motion between two surfaces in contact.
29
Speed of sound = frequency × wavelength = 256 Hz × 1.3 m = 332.8 m/s.
30
Using : . Calculation error in question setup, assuming a final velocity needs calculation. If final velocity is to be found: , so m/s. The question implies finding the velocity just before touching the ground, so initial velocity is 0, final velocity is to be found. . .
31
(a) Using : . m.(b) Work done by gravity = Force × displacement = . During upward motion, displacement is upwards and gravity acts downwards, so work done by gravity is negative. Work done = J.OR(a) Potential Energy (PE) is the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. Kinetic Energy (KE) is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion.(b) For a simple pendulum, maximum velocity occurs at the mean position. Using conservation of energy, . . m (max displacement), m/s². m/s.
32
Case Study:(a) Sound requires a medium to propagate.(b) Yes, sound requires a medium. Solid, liquid, and gas.(c) Speed = frequency × wavelength = 500 Hz × 0.6 m = 300 m/s.(d) Because there is a vacuum in space, and sound cannot travel through a vacuum.
33
Long Answer:(a) Newton's Second Law of Motion states that the rate of change of momentum of an object is proportional to the applied unbalanced force and takes place in the direction in which the force acts. Mathematically, , where F is the net force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration. It shows that acceleration is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to the mass.(b) Convert velocity: 36 km/h = 10 m/s. Initial velocity u = 10 m/s, final velocity v = 0 m/s, time t = 5 s. Acceleration m/s². Force N. The magnitude of the force is 2000 N.OR(a) Longitudinal waves: Particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation (e.g., sound waves in air). Transverse waves: Particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation (e.g., light waves, waves on a string).(b) Time period Hz = 0.025 s.
